I was able to view the Finnair economy food menu when I was flying Helsinki to Hamburg (return). The menu was in the seat pocket when I was flying business class (see review) and I was curious what foods were being offered in economy. Alongside the complementary blueberry juice and water, it was a pretty stock standard menu made up of snacks – nothing really inspiring to buy on board. If you wanted anything more substantial you had to preorder before boarding.
Finnair Economy Food Menu
There were a range of snacks available for purchase from the Finnair economy food menu, ranging from crisps (chips), chocolates, muffins, crisp-bread, nuts, olives and a cheese platter. There was also a range of instant hot meals available including curry noodles, bolognese sauce or oat porridge. I am unsure if these are available at anytime during a flight or if the oats are only available during breakfast times, and the noodles and bolognese only available during lunch/dinner flights. The menus in the seat pockets were the same for both the Helsinki-Hamburg flight (early morning), and returning on a Hamburg-Helsinki flight (evening). On most short-haul flights there are also sandwiches or other hot meals such as a pizza available to preorder before a flight.
Nutrition comment
Most foods on the menu are snack type foods, with a mix of somewhat nutrition options and not so healthy options. It is good to see olives, cheese plate, rye crackers and nuts included as snacks as these are all fairly nutritious foods. In regards to the nuts though, while they are nutritious, they pose a danger to people with a nut allergy. It is best nuts are left to be eaten in a lounge, rather than on the plane. If you choose to eat them onboard then wipe your hands before touching any surfaces (best is with soap and water if you head to the bathroom). The preorder rye sandwich with hot smoked salmon is a fairly nutritious choice, however people must remember to order them 7 hours in advance. It would be better to see some nutritious sandwiches/salads on board to buy incase people are not able to pre-order or they simply change their minds. There doesn’t have to be a large range but just some more substantial foods onboard.
Final words on Finnair Economy Food Review (short-haul)
I get disappointed in economy class when it is buy-on-board for a full service carrier. Yes it is only 1.5 hour flight but I think food is an important part of the passenger experience and I do like to think there is a little magic left in flying. In regards to the Finnair economy food menu it was good to see it wasn’t all crisps and chocolate bars – the cheese, olives and rye crisps were a welcome sight. However in regards to more substantial foods it would be good to see fresh options rather than heat up pots. These pots have the potential to be ultra-processed – without seeing them I don’t know how nutritious they were but I would proceed with caution.
NOTE: All pictures of Finnair Economy Class food (short-haul) on their Embraer E190 are my own and I review the food from the menu I was given and the food I ordered on my flight. There may be different options available at other times.
If you would like to see what Finnair Business Class food was like on the Helsinki to Hamburg route see my review. Also if you are interested in the foods available in lounges at these airports then see my reviews on the Finnair Schengen Lounge and Hamburg Airport Lounge.
